Lucille Chi
Check out Elven Forest Creations on Etsy.
All the products are made from recycled, reclaimed or organic fabrics. On the top above “the feathers for the wings are from someone who had gathered fallen feathers from their farm” and“the feathers would have gone to the landfill had they not started selling them.”
I think the idea of reclaimed and reused natural materials is brilliant and stunning, when combined with fantasy and fairytales :).. These look like costume pieces for an enchanting time…
Above image courtesy of Elven Forest Creations.
Definitely the most creative use of feathers that I’ve ever seen.
My kids and I gather feathers that fall on our property too – from our chickens and wild birds that drop them – but to make a bikini top from feathers is not the first or the even the 400th thing I’d think of. It is totally cool (and nothing I’d wear myself…LOL!).
If you’re thinking of doing this yourself, be especially careful of which feathers you pick up. The Migratory Bird Act of 1918 prohibits the possession, either in part (e.g. feathers) or whole, of any migratory bird within the US without special permits.
The full text of the law is available here: http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmba.htm
What about peacock feathers? I remember visiting a Tibetan Buddhist temple (they consider peacock feathers divine and pray with them) and the colorfully iridescent birds roamed around shedding feathers everywhere around the grounds and gardens. I imagine farms and orchards like the ones mentioned have plenty of birds roaming around leaving feathers behind for some lucky crafter. Thanks for the extra info when finding migratory bird feathers, though!
absolutely stunning.
Kristen is correct! Whether you gather feathers on your own property, in the woods & fields, or purchase them at a craft store, BE AWARE of what feathers are illegal to own. When you make a gift or sell a craft object that contains even one feather that’s illegal to own, you can be fined for having had it in your possession. This is one instance wherein Ignorance of the Law can be costly and embarrassing.